ASSESSMENT OF CELL FREE DNA LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH HCV-ASSOCIATED HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA.

Background:- HCC being a main complication of cirrhosis and representing more than 70% of all hepatic tumors among Egyptians with growing incidence. Quantitative analysis of cfDNA is a newly potential method for the detection of HCC. Objective:- to evaluate the potential and clinical value of cfDNA in patients with HCV-associated HCC Methods:- Blood samples were collected from 16 HCV associated HCC patients ,16 HCV related cirrhosis and 16 healthy controls. The AFP was measured and cfDNA was extracted and quantified by a real-time PCR, the survival of HCC group were followed up for two years. Results:- The validity of cf DNA(ng/ml) as a diagnostic marker for HCC showed that the sensitivity and specificity of cfDNA for selective detection of the HCC over the cirrhotic liver disease were 100% and 75% respectively, while over the controls were 100% , 93.75% ,while that of AFP of the HCC over the cirrhotic group were 75% and 81.25% respectively .The patients with a high cfDNA level ?140 ng/ml had significantly shorter OS than those with a low level of cfDNA. Conclusions:- CfDNA, detected by real time PCR, is more sensitive and specific for detection of HCC than AFP and is more clinically significant.